Mods, Hippies and Youth Culture

Pull out those louche pair of flares (we’re swooning over Roberto Cavalli’s scrumptious apricot silver-kissed silk velvet trousers), as well as your tiered, off-the-shoulder dress and oversized, fringed shawl. Over the past few years, there’s been a growing competition between our favourite luxury designers, who are desperately trying to capture the imagination of a new generation. The result? A youth cult movement across the board, pioneered first by Hedi Slimane’s unprecedented success at Saint Laurent and continued by Alessandro Michele and Cavalli.

Speaking of Cavalli, Peter Dundas, who left his position at the Italian fashion house after only three seasons last month, is bringing back animal print jeans, as well as sleeveless biker jackets and bandeau tops. Clashing prints, untameable tassels, funky lens-tinted sunglasses and dream-catcher pendants take us back to San Francisco during the summer of love.

Meanwhile, Alberta Ferretti’s tooled-leather corset, which Bella Hadid elegantly wore with a long tiered ruffle skirt, drenched in an amethyst-bled silk, has a striking, Sixties mod-meets-biker chick vibe. Crochet lace and clean-cut, masculine necklines are undeniably ideal for the cool vibes and blue skies that'll (hopefully) define Coachella 2017.

Alexander McQueen’s bulky punk studded ensembles boasts a playful element in the form of dangling leather tassels and (albeit dark) aztec prints, as well as cropped kick flares and ethereal schoolgirl dresses. Sarah Burton's classic shift mini-dresses are the perfect way to evoke a modern mod look that would have even Twiggy, the Queen of Cool, green with envy.

Flouncy pale-pink prairie skirts and batik-printed twill grace Tory Burch’s runway. Paisley patterns and floral prints adorn laced-up suede shorts for what became the ultimate bohemian look. Oversized rose prints, eclectic orange, duck-egg blue and yellow harks back to the infectious optimism of the Swinging Sixties.

Fashion is a reflection of society's social and political concerns, and Marc Jacobs' chilled-out denim and colourful dreadlocks sure makes a statement. Satin and snakeskin meets doses of glitter and thigh. A punk fur-collared A-line coat in metallic lame was followed by funky rainbow-patterned holographic sequins and over-the-knee socks.